Meet Aurora Chaffee

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Aurora Chaffee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Aurora, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is a very real challenge—especially in the equine world. There are so many people working with horses, and many of them were born into horsey families or grew up showing. (Hear that imposter syndrome creeping in already?)

Finding and owning my voice in this industry has been a long and deeply internal journey. One of the most helpful things for me was therapy with a coaching mindset. It helped me recognize that imposter syndrome often stems from our own insecurities and shaky belief in our worth.

At its core, imposter syndrome is a self-protective mechanism. It’s the mind’s way of trying to keep us safe from rejection, hurt, and shame—three incredibly powerful motivators.

But the antidote to imposter syndrome is self-belief and empowerment. I had to learn that my value and unique perspective don’t come from outside validation—they come from within. Once I started addressing those internal voices that were trying to shield me from pain, the grip of imposter syndrome began to loosen.

Of course, this isn’t a one-and-done realization. It’s an ongoing practice. Every new season of growth—whether in life or equine world—can bring up fresh fears of not being good enough. But now I know to meet those fears with compassion, self-awareness, and a renewed belief in my own worth.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Through Aurora Equine Partnerships, I offer training, coaching, and education designed specifically for off-track thoroughbreds (OTTBs) and the people who love them.

What makes my work unique is the philosophy it’s built on: partnership first. Instead of pushing horses toward performance, I focus on rebalancing them—physically, mentally, and emotionally—so they can thrive in whatever new direction their life takes. It’s a holistic, science-backed approach that honors the horse as a whole being, not just a body to be trained.

One of the most exciting aspects of my work has been watching the ripple effect this approach has on the humans involved. When a horse transforms—becomes softer, more confident, more connected—their person does too. It’s about more than riding or training; it’s about building trust, communication, and mutual respect.

This is a really exciting time for the business. Our team is growing and we are expanding our digital reach to share this message with off-track thoroughbred owners across the world. We have plans to purchase a farm for our operations, host on-site clinics, training and so much more for the thoroughbred community.

Ultimately, my goal is to redefine what it means to “train” a horse—shifting the focus toward connection, understanding, and long-term wellness for both horse and human.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, I can identify three key factors that have had a profound impact on my personal and professional growth—and interestingly, none of them directly involve horses.

1. Surrounding Myself with Supportive People: Letting go of relationships that felt draining or overly critical wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. Creating healthy boundaries has been essential to freeing my mindset and allowing me the space to grow.

2. Meditation
Our minds can easily feel like a noisy café—full of chatter, distraction, and constant movement. Meditation has been my way of closing the door to that noise. It gives me the stillness I need to reconnect with my authentic self and recalibrate to my own inner compass. It’s become a non-negotiable practice for clarity and grounding.

3. Believing in My Future Self
One of the most powerful shifts I’ve made is learning to trust that my future self already holds the wisdom and strength I need. That belief fuels the action I take now. It requires confronting limiting beliefs, quieting self-doubt, and facing hidden fears head-on. But when those internal roadblocks are cleared, confidence and forward momentum naturally follow.

There’s a well-known phrase: “Know thyself.” And no matter what industry you’re in or what passion you pursue, your success will always reflect how well you know yourself.

Fear of rejection, pain, and shame are powerful forces that can hold you back from chasing your goals. But the deeper your self-awareness—and the more inner work you commit to—the smoother and more fulfilling your path becomes. When you understand your own patterns, values, and fears, you’re better equipped to move forward with clarity, confidence, and resilience.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Yes! I’m always searching for meaningful partnerships and collaborations—especially with individuals or organizations who share a passion for connection-based horsemanship, equine wellness, and empowering OTTB owners.

I’d love to connect and learn more from:

– Equine professionals (trainers, bodyworkers, veterinarians, etc.) who value a whole-horse approach

– Brands or creators offering products or services that support horse and rider wellbeing

– Content creators, podcasters, or educators in the equestrian space looking to collaborate on value-driven content

– Event hosts or clinic organizers who want to bring innovative OTTB or partnership-focused education to their audience

If you’re aligned with this mission and would like to explore a collaboration, I’d love to hear from you.

You can reach me at [email protected]

Let’s build something meaningful together that helps horses and humans thrive.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Dan McGann

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